This photo circulating in emails and uploaded in the internet was probably taken Saturday afternoon when news of the floods caused by Ondoy broke out. I was dumbstruck when I saw the photo, not just because of how massive Ondoy’s wrath was but because it was only a 15-minute walk or a 5-minute tricycle ride from where I live. The area was a waterworld from two days ago. When I left for work this morning the water was gone, replaced with inch-thick mud and mountains of garbage.

I overheard my neighbors talking amongst each other when I was on my way to work that we were lucky, having been spared from Ondoy’s wrath. All we had to endure was a power outage, which as of this writing is still out and last I heard will only be restored by Wednesday at the earliest, and ankle-deep water.

I grieve for all those who were on the receiving end of Ondoy’s wrath. For those who lost their homes and a lifetime of memorabilia. For those still trapped in rooftops. For those who have nothing to eat and no decent bed to sleep on. For those who have lost their loved ones.

And I worry for a friend who lives nearby whom we have not heard of until now, knowing that their area gets flooded even on the lightest of rainfall.

All I could offer them are my prayers, a few of my clothes, a little bit of cash, and a helping hand.

To those who need an extra pair of hands this weekend, please do contact me. My email is on my profile.